Kate and Leopold (2001)
I have nothing against romantic comedies if they're done right. This one has not been done right. In fact, after viewing it, I'm not sure it's done at all. (Apparently, my copy wasn't: it was a bootleg off the critical screener tape which preserves the vague incest subplot that was cut out of the final release.) Like most modern-day romantic comedies, it's split into two parts -- the light, funny first half and the dramatic, mostly joke-free second half. Of these two, the second half is marginally more effective if only because it's actually somewhat cohesive. The funny half has its moments, but for the most part it's a half-formed mess. There's ideas for scenes that could work as jokes, and there's jokes that could work given the proper context and timing. It's a damn shame then that director/co-writer James Mangold (who, in his last three films, has shown zero talent) still has no idea about how to pace a motion picture. Hugh Jackman's delightful performance as Leopold is the film's lone saving grace; its major flaw is Meg Ryan's Kate, who comes off at all times like a self-centered, shallow twit. (What kind of intelligent, driven career woman doesn't know what "the pointy thing" on her PDA is called, anyway?)
Grade: C
I have nothing against romantic comedies if they're done right. This one has not been done right. In fact, after viewing it, I'm not sure it's done at all. (Apparently, my copy wasn't: it was a bootleg off the critical screener tape which preserves the vague incest subplot that was cut out of the final release.) Like most modern-day romantic comedies, it's split into two parts -- the light, funny first half and the dramatic, mostly joke-free second half. Of these two, the second half is marginally more effective if only because it's actually somewhat cohesive. The funny half has its moments, but for the most part it's a half-formed mess. There's ideas for scenes that could work as jokes, and there's jokes that could work given the proper context and timing. It's a damn shame then that director/co-writer James Mangold (who, in his last three films, has shown zero talent) still has no idea about how to pace a motion picture. Hugh Jackman's delightful performance as Leopold is the film's lone saving grace; its major flaw is Meg Ryan's Kate, who comes off at all times like a self-centered, shallow twit. (What kind of intelligent, driven career woman doesn't know what "the pointy thing" on her PDA is called, anyway?)
Grade: C
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